EAS Build Basics
Ten examples for eas.json, build profiles, and your first cloud iOS/Android build - the operational foundation for shipping Expo SDK 57 binaries without local Xcode or Android Studio on every machine.
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Ten examples for eas.json, build profiles, and your first cloud iOS/Android build - the operational foundation for shipping Expo SDK 57 binaries without local Xcode or Android Studio on every machine.
Start from a blank Expo app with SDK 57 pinned and EAS CLI installed globally or via npx:
npx create-expo-app@latest EasBuildBasics --template blank-typescript@sdk-57 --yes
cd EasBuildBasics
npm install -g eas-cli@latest
eas loginConfirm the stack pin before configuring builds:
{
"dependencies": {
"expo": "~57.0.4",
"react": "19.2.3",
"react-native": "0.86.0"
}
}Tooling: These examples target Expo SDK 57 (
expo~57.0.4), React Native 0.86.0, and React 19.2.3. Read Prebuild Basics before your first EAS build under Continuous Native Generation (CNG).
EAS Build is Expo's cloud compile service. For a typical CNG app it:
app.config.ts, lockfile, and modules/ (not gitignored ios/ / android/)npx expo prebuild when native folders are absenteas build:configureeas build:configure creates eas.json and links the project to your Expo accountEvery build needs an Expo project ID in app.config.ts:
eas init// app.config.ts
import type { ExpoConfig } from "expo/config";
const config: ExpoConfig = {
name: "EasBuildBasics",
slug: "eas-build-basics",
version: "1.0.0",
ios: {
bundleIdentifier: "com.example.easbuildbasics",
},
android: {
package: "com.example.easbuildbasics",
},
extra: {
eas: {
projectId: "00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000", // from eas init
},
},
};
export default config;npx expo config --type public | jq '.extra.eas.projectId'eas init writes projectId - commit app.config.ts after linkingprojectId fail early with a clear config erroreas.json is the build contract - profiles name credential sets, distribution channels, and environment variables:
{
"cli": {
"version": ">= 16.0.0",
"appVersionSource": "remote"
},
"build": {
"development": {
"developmentClient": true,
"distribution": "internal"
},
"preview": {
"distribution": "internal"
},
"production": {}
}
}eas build --profile preview --platform ioscli.version pins the minimum EAS CLI - CI should match or exceed itappVersionSource: "remote" lets EAS auto-increment buildNumber / versionCode on store profilesEngineers need a native binary with expo-dev-client embedded - not Expo Go:
npx expo install expo-dev-client{
"build": {
"development": {
"developmentClient": true,
"distribution": "internal",
"environment": "development",
"ios": {
"simulator": true
},
"android": {
"buildType": "apk"
}
}
}
}# iOS Simulator binary (no device registration)
eas build --profile development --platform ios
# Android APK for USB sideload
eas build --profile development --platform androiddevelopmentClient: true compiles the dev menu and custom native modulesPreview builds look like production but install via internal distribution - TestFlight internal, ad hoc, or APK links:
{
"build": {
"preview": {
"distribution": "internal",
"environment": "preview",
"channel": "preview",
"ios": {
"simulator": false
},
"android": {
"buildType": "apk"
}
}
}
}eas build --profile preview --platform alldistribution": "internal" skips public store release - see Internal Distributionchannel ties the binary to EAS Update bundles published with eas update --channel previewProduction compiles release binaries signed for App Store Connect and Google Play:
{
"build": {
"production": {
"distribution": "store",
"environment": "production",
"channel": "production",
"autoIncrement": true,
"android": {
"buildType": "app-bundle"
}
}
}
}eas build --profile production --platform all --non-interactivedistribution": "store" produces App Store / Play-ready artifactsbuildType": "app-bundle" is required for Play production - AAB not APKautoIncrement": true bumps iOS buildNumber and Android versionCode remotelyInteractive first build walks credential setup - accept EAS-managed credentials unless you have an existing cert chain:
eas build --profile production --platform iosPrompt flow (first time):
? Generate a new Apple Distribution Certificate? › Yes
? Generate a new Apple Provisioning Profile? › Yes
? Log in to your Apple Developer account › ...After success:
eas build:list --platform ios --limit 3--non-interactive buildsAndroid first build generates or uploads a keystore - let EAS create one for greenfield apps:
eas build --profile production --platform android? Generate a new Android Keystore? › YesInspect stored credentials:
eas credentials --platform androidTrack in-flight compiles and retrieve install links:
# Watch the latest build
eas build --profile preview --platform ios --wait
# List recent builds
eas build:list --status finished --limit 5
# Open build page in browser
eas build:view// Example finished build metadata (abbreviated)
{
"status": "FINISHED",
"platform": "IOS",
"artifacts": {
"buildUrl": "https://expo.dev/artifacts/eas/....ipa"
}
}buildUrl with QA for APK/IPA sideload or ad hoc installs--non-interactive and polls eas build:list or EAS webhooksStandard CNG apps gitignore native folders - EAS regenerates them on every build:
# .gitignore
ios/
android/{
"build": {
"production": {
"env": {
"EXPO_NO_CAPABILITY_SYNC": "0"
}
}
}
}# Local sanity check before spending EAS minutes
npx expo-doctor
npx expo prebuild --no-install
eas build --profile production --platform allInfo.plist - express native changes in pluginsexpo run:ios or Xcode debugging on your laptop."simulator": true) still use cloud macOS workers.expo prebuild when folders are absent.package-lock.json - upload size and install time drop.Stack versions: This page was written for React 19.2.3, React Native 0.86.0, and Expo SDK 57 (
expo~57.0.4).
Reviewed by Chris St. John·Last updated Jul 16, 2026